BMW i

BMW i
Company typeDivision
IndustryAutomotive industry
Founded2011
ProductsPlug-in electric vehicles
ParentBMW
Websitewww.bmw.de/de/neufahrzeuge/bmw-i.html

The BMW i is a sub-brand of BMW founded in 2011 to design and manufacture plug-in electric vehicles.[1][2] The company initially released two vehicles: the i3 all-electric car and the i8 plug-in hybrid. The all-electric iX3 SUV was released in late 2020, while iX SUV and the i4 all-electric liftback sedan followed later in 2021.[3][4]

Concept versions of both the i3 and i8 were shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.[5] It was also featured during a BMW World event, where the company's top automobiles were showcased. The company announced their commitment to build it by 2013.[6] Series production of the BMW i3 for retail customers began in September of that year,[7] and the European market launch took place in November 2013, with the first retail deliveries in Germany.[8] The BMW i8 was launched in Germany in June 2014.[9] The United States, Norway, Germany, and the UK are the main markets for both models. During the launch, Tesla has been on sale for just over a year in the US market.[6]

In February 2016, BMW announced the introduction of the "iPerformance" model designation, which is being given to all BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles from July 2016.[10][11] The aim is to provide a visible indicator of the transfer of technology from BMW i to the BMW core brand.[12] As of June 2021, seven BMW electrified models have been released using BMW i technology, the X1 xDrive25e, X3 xDrive30e, X5 xDrive45e, 225xe Active Tourer, 320e/330e iPerformance, 520e/530e/545e iPerformance, and 745e/745Le iPerformance.[13] The Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid also shares the i technology.

Combined global sales of BMW Group electrified vehicles achieved the 500,000th unit milestone in December 2019, including BMW i, iPerformance, xDrive, and MINI brand electrified cars.[14] Global sales of all variants of the BMW i3 reached over 165,000 units delivered at the beginning of 2020.[15] Production of the BMW i8 ended in June 2020, with worldwide sales of more than 20,000 units.[16]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoMag2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT0710 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Hyde, Ellis (9 June 2020). "New BMW iX3: specs, prices and on-sale date". DrivingElectric. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Launch Of BMW iX3 And i4 EVs Still On Track". 24 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference i3FMS2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Pfeffermann, Nicole (2019). New Leadership in Strategy and Communication: Shifting Perspective on Innovation, Leadership, and System Design. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. p. 422. ISBN 978-3-030-19681-3.
  7. ^ Blanco, Sebastian (18 September 2013). "BMW i3 starts production in Germany using local wind power, US carbon fiber". Autoblog Green. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference i3Launch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference i8Germany was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Davies, Chris (26 December 2016). "2016 BMW 330E Review: The Secret Plugin Hybrid". SlashGear. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  11. ^ Stoklosa, Alexander (16 February 2016). "BMW Announces "iPerformance" Moniker for Plug-In Hybrids". Car and Driver. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference iPerformance was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "BMW Plug-in Hybrid Models". BMW Group. 19 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020. The 330e and 530e are available as sedan or saloon and wagon or touring trims.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference BMW500K was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference BMWi2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference i8Ceased was invoked but never defined (see the help page).